Section 79-6-301 - State energy policy(1) It is the policy of the state that:(a)(i) Utah will develop its energy resources and plan its energy future with a focus on human well-being and quality of life, recognizing that reliable access to energy is vital for human health, adaptation, economic growth, and prosperity;(ii) Utah shall have energy resources that have the following attributes, listed in order of priority: (iii) Utah shall encourage the construction and use of energy systems that balance the criteria described in Subsection (1)(a)(ii) while giving priority to the criteria in the order they are listed in Subsection (1)(a)(ii);(b)(i) Utah shall foster market-based solutions to: (A) meet current and future energy demands;(B) protect proven technologies; and(C) minimize political uncertainties in pursuing energy development and strategy;(ii) Utah shall promote the development of a diverse energy portfolio, including: (A) dispatchable energy resources, including natural gas, coal, oil, and hydroelectric;(B) nuclear power generation technologies certified for use by the United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission including molten salt reactors producing medical isotopes;(C) intermittent energy resources, including solar and wind;(D) clean energy sources by considering the environmental impact, including emissions, of an energy resource throughout the entire life cycle of the energy resource; and(E) increased refinery capacity; and(iii) Utah shall encourage innovation in the development of energy resources, including: (A) emerging energy resources, including geothermal, biomass, biofuel, oil shale, and oil sands;(B) alternative transportation fuels and technologies; and(C) energy storage, pumped storage, and other developing energy systems, including hydrogen from all sources;(c)(i) Utah shall streamline state regulatory processes to balance economic costs with the level of review necessary to ensure protection of the state's interests; and(ii) Utah shall encourage expedited federal action and will collaborate with federal agencies to expedite review;(d)(i) Utah shall maintain an environment that provides for stable consumer prices that are as low as possible while providing producers and suppliers a fair return on investment, recognizing that: (A) economic prosperity is linked to the availability, reliability, and affordability of consumer energy supplies; and(B) investment will occur only when adequate financial returns can be realized;(ii) Utah shall assess the utility value of each prospective energy resource to meet the state's increasing demands including:(A) a market analysis with and without government subsidies; and(B) the total system impact of an energy resource;(iii) Utah shall provide support for the innovation, research, and development of new energy resources and promote the development of resources and infrastructure sufficient to meet the state's growing demand and to contribute to the regional and national energy supply, thus reducing dependence on international energy materials; and(iv) Utah shall allow market forces to drive prudent use of energy resources, although incentives and other methods may be used to ensure the state's optimal development and use of energy resources in the short- and long-term;(e) Utah shall promote the development of resources, tools, and infrastructure to enhance the state's ability to:(i) maintain adequate supply, including reserves of proven and cost-effective resources to meet demand;(ii) ensure the state's energy independence by promoting and prioritizing the use of energy resources generated within the state; and(iii) respond effectively to significant disruptions to the state's energy generation, energy delivery systems, or fuel supplies;(f)(i) Utah shall research and develop in consideration of the complete life cycle of an energy resource including mining, transportation, consumption, disposal, and reclamation;(ii) Utah shall promote the development of a secure supply chain from resource extraction to energy production and consumption; and(iii) Utah shall, in accordance with the policy principles described in this section, support the construction of infrastructure to encourage: (B) diversified modes of energy transportation;(C) greater access to domestic and international markets for Utah's resources; and(D) advanced transmission systems;(g) Utah shall pursue energy conservation, energy efficiency, and environmental quality; and(h) Utah shall promote training and education programs developed by the office, focused on developing a comprehensive understanding of energy, including: (i) programs addressing: (B) energy related workforce development;(C) energy efficiency; and(D) energy conservation; and(ii) energy education programs in grades kindergarten through grade 12.(2) Governmental entities, the Public Service Commission, electric corporations, and gas corporations shall conduct activities consistent with Subsection (1).(3) A person may not file suit to challenge a state agency's action that is inconsistent with Subsection (1).Amended by Chapter 493, 2024 General Session ,§ 2, eff. 5/1/2024.Amended by Chapter 186, 2023 General Session ,§ 4, eff. 5/3/2023.Amended by Chapter 195, 2023 General Session ,§ 3, eff. 5/3/2023.Renumbered from § 63M-4-301 by Chapter 280, 2021 General Session ,§ 118, eff. 7/1/2021.Amended by Chapter 383, 2021 General Session ,§ 1, eff. 5/5/2021.Amended by Chapter 415, 2019 General Session ,§ 1, eff. 5/14/2019.Amended by Chapter 378, 2015 General Session ,§ 2, eff. 5/12/2015.Renumbered and Amended by Chapter 382, 2008 General Session